North Korea success in table tennis

Jasper Low Asked 2 weeks ago

Hi Alois,

The Asian championships 2024 have concluded and surprisingly China didn't really dominate this one; only winning gold in the men's team event. Something even more surprising is north Korea's appearance in the games and Kim Kum Yong winning high profile players like Sun Yingsha, Wang yidi and rising star Miwa Harimoto in the final. She has won the women's singles in the Asian championships without a world ranking. What are your thoughts on this?

Alois Rosario Answered 2 weeks ago

Hi Jasper,

That was a surprising and exciting outcome from the Asian Championships. North Korea's performance, especially Kim Kum Yong's triumph in the women's singles, is certainly noteworthy. It’s not every day you see an unranked player taking down some of the top-ranked players in the world.

North Korea has always had a strong table tennis program, although their visibility on the international stage can be sporadic due to various geopolitical and administrative reasons. When players from such countries get an opportunity to compete in major tournaments, they can sometimes catch the competition off-guard. This might be partly due to the lack of recent data and footage on their play style and strategies, which makes it difficult for opponents to prepare effectively. Kim Kum Yong's victory over established players like Sun Yingsha, Wang Yidi, and Miwa Harimoto suggests a high level of skill and mental toughness.

I think there was also an element of less focus by the Chinese players.  It would have been difficult for them to front up to this event after the Olympics.